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Just posted this on FB so apologies if read before but like various opinions.
May sound a bit pointless but occasionally when I use my 29 plus surly for training / mixed use /loaded up etc , I run higher pressures but miss the shock absorption of lower figures. Has anyone tried a redshift stem or similar in such situations and would it make a noticeable difference and remove the sting of potholes etc or not be very noticeable and a waste of money ?
I may actually be more in a position to answer this question than some as I owned a redshift suspension stem a few years back but wanted other opinions. I don't really want a lauf fork and have vibrocore bars already .
I ordered the redshift when I bought an early Surly ogre but was unimpressed and sold it on . I was running fairly narrow 2.4 tyres then at higher pressure and it didn't help the jarring ride much . I also hated that to get much shock absorption I had to use the softest elastomers which ...when climbing the steepest Devon roads ( which required standing and tugging on the bars when loaded ) the bars would oscillate up and down and felt odd as well as losing me "pulling power" .
I later realised the standard ogre touring fork was just too stiff/ jarring for my needs so fitted an exotic carbon unit which made a big difference . After that wider rims and 29 plus tyres got me comfy but I'd like even more cush ..hence the question .
In typical STW fashion, I'll not answer the question but... despite having rigid carbon fork options for both my Fatbike and my 29er/B+ "bikepacker" I rarely use them and just keep the suspension forks on these days. There's a comfort vs weight balance to be sure, but it's maybe my advancing years that makes me come down on the side of comfort.
Scotsroutes .. I love the feel of a sus fork when needed but much of the time it's not needed personally as I don't hit things fast and hard anymore ..like you I am subject to age related decline and injuries and have valued comfort over performance for a long time now. What I love about rigid rides is the lack of dive and change of geometry ..particularly as i ride a fair amount of devon lanes as well as easy roughstuff . You may say use the lockout but it's not the same really . I used to love MZ ETA travel adjust for climbs ..really miss that instant change in climbing angle . Perhaps I should experiment again . The lauf might be of interest but I don't like the aesthetics or price and most bikes I have still use straight steerered forks anyhow.
for training / mixed use /loaded up etc
Training isn't much about comfort so may as well whack 25-30psi in and crack on for a couple of hours.
Mixed riding and loaded use though, can't see the point in raising pressures. I leave my tyres at a pressure that works off road and I don't think I lose much on tarmac (within the range I'm talking about). Sure they feel a bit less rapid on road but that's not the same as actually being slower. When loaded up the lower pressures roll easier ime.